Tricycle drivers in Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan Island, Cebu are feeling the strain from the additional money they now have to shell out after prices of fuel went up because of the tension in the Middle East.

They hope the minimum fare would also be increased.

According to Rogelio Estampa, their P250 budget in the past would give them four liters of gasoline. These days, it would buy them only three liters.

Estampa’s fellow members in the Federation of Lapu-Lapu City Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (FELTODA) shares his sentiments.

The group put their sentiments together in a letter to Councilor Joseph Pangtungan, chairperson of the committee on transport of the Lapu-Lapu City Council.

FELTODA head Sixto Tumulak, Jr. did not disclose how much increase they are asking but said they have proposed rates.

Tumulak said they have also taken the sentiments of commuters into consideration and they also empathize with them.

FELTODA has prepared a list of its members who have renewed their franchise. The list will be forwarded to the local government unit so that the drivers in the list can be given a fuel subsidy.

Of FELTODA’s 3,741 members, 3,145 have had their franchise renewed.

On March 12, 2026, the transportation secretary announced a fuel subsidy of P5,000 for those in the transportation sector. The first to receive are those in the National Capital Region.